Whilst one can see why Chelsea would be on the look out for alternative striking options one does wonder quite why the Blues would need to target new attacking midfield or wide attacking options given the mass of options currently available to boss Rafa Benitez.

There is an argument put forward by some sources that Miralem Pjanic and Willian may well be considered as long term replacement options for veteran Frank Lampard, however the England man is not playing much of an active role in the Chelsea first team anyway. The 34 year old has made just four Premier League starts, the last of which was more than two months ago.

The likes of Oscar, John Obi Mikel, Ramires and Oriol Romeu are available to fill central roles. Similarly the departure of Daniel Sturridge, to Liverpool by all accounts, will not exactly affect Chelsea’s first team given that the 23 year old has only made one Premier League start this season.

Of the three targets named Shakhtak Donetsk midfielder Willian is perhaps the player who has been on the Chelsea radar for the longest running period. The Brazilian may well be keen on a move to the Premier League side but given his Ukraine side have booked a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League the 24 year old may not wish to leave next month.

Theo Walcott has begun to receive the starting spot up front that he is said to be clamouring for and if Arsenal make a wage offer nearer to that which the Gunners attacker is demanding then it’s fairly possible that the former Southampton man will elect to stick with the North London club.

Pjanic also had issues related to his position at Roma but recent effective displays would appear to suggest that the Bosnian is now happy to stick it out at the Stadio Olimpico.